Grizzly G8688 Mini Metal Lathe and Why it is Best in Value

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Perfectly sized lathe for hobbyists and smaller shops doing light metalworking tasks. The spindle can rotate in both forward and reverse directions with a variable speed range from 0-2500 RPM.

As a mini-sized machine, the G8688 can’t handle larger workpieces. In addition, some of its parts are made out of plastic making it suitable for only light tasks and not for high-volume production.

The Grizzly Industrial, Inc. is a well-known manufacturer of quality power tools and equipment and is one of the best metal lathe brands in the industry. Established in 1983, the US-based firm has a wide array of woodworking and metalworking machinery to suit the needs and price requirements of all types of buyers.

If you are looking for an affordable yet high-performance machine for your workshop, you might want to take a closer look at the Grizzly G8688 Mini Metal Lathe, 7 x 12-Inch. One of the company’s models for the mini-sized niche, it is specifically designed for smaller workshops and for those who do light metal turning jobs.

Despite its smaller size, this machine is packed with all the features you need to fabricate a high-quality end product. Coupled with its affordable pricing, we’ve decided that it is fitting to be our Best in Value Pick for 2019. Take a look at some of its features to get a clearer picture of what this lathe can offer.

For any craftsman who takes pride in their work, the quality of the finished product is of utmost importance. Thankfully, this machine lets you do just that – craft and shape your metal workpiece to perfection and it lets you do it much easier compared to other machines.

That is all thanks to its features which is quite a surprise especially considering its small size and affordable price level. One such useful feature is its ability to rotate in both forward and reverse direction. This feature should come in handy in any threading work.

Speaking of threading, this product also comes with an impressive thread range giving you flexibility. It is capable of doing 12 to 52 TPI threading tasks, made more convenient with its 10 metric and 10 standard thread pitches.

To get the best results, you’ll need to adjust the spindle speed depending on what you’re working on, as well as the material you are turning. Fortunately, this step is very easy to do with this equipment as you can adjust the rotation speed to your heart’s content. There are two speed settings – a low-speed setting which gives you a speed range from 0-1100 RPM and a high-speed setting which gives you 0-2500 RPM.

Most lathe users are not really into crafting large pieces of metal workpieces such as those you can find in industrial scale production. For small metal-crafting tasks, a smaller machine will do just fine and is, in fact, more practical. You don’t really want to have a large machine sitting in your shop and taking up precious space. Not only is a full-size machine very expensive, but it is also simply a waste of money when you won’t use its capabilities to the fullest.

This makes the Grizzly G8688 very suitable to a large range of users. As mentioned beforehand, this mini lathe is ideal for hobbyists and small shops that do light metal turning projects. It has a swing over capacity of 7 inches and its distance between centers measures 12 inches, capacities perfect for smaller-sized workpieces. It also features a 20mm spindle bore, 2-1/2-inch tailstock travel, and 2-3/4-inch cross slide travel.

Power is not an issue with this machine either as it is more powerful than other mini-sized products in its class. It features a 3/4HP 10-volt, single-phase. And, just like other machines of the Grizzly brand, the G8688 is very tough and durable so it will be your most loyal companion in your metal-crafting journey for years to come.

As expected, this product will not be a perfect fit for everyone. For instance, this is a mini lathe which means that there is a limitation to the size of the metal turning workpiece it can accommodate. For those who do larger projects, getting a larger, full-sized machine is one of the best solutions.

One of the most common complaints is that there are a few plastic parts so it may not be as heavy duty as other models made purely out of metal or alloy. Again, it must be noted that this product is suitable for light metalworking task and may not suit in a high-volume production environment.

But for all of its shortcomings, we still think that the Grizzly G8688 is a good buy for one main reason, it offers the best value for the money you’ve spent, a perfect balance between price and features that you just can’t find in other options.